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It’s not just ‘cheap’ cars that the Chinese are making anymore – something which is no better evidence than Zeekr, premium arm of the Geely Auto Group.
Although the story of the Chinese brand’s history began in Australia with the Volvo EX30-based Zeekr Y-fighting 7X mid-size SUV, it actually started with this decade’s 001 electric shooting brake (the first model that has the same DNA as the Polestar 4 and pioneered the brand’t development of high performance electric vehicle (EV) technologies).
Zeekr, just five years after the brand’s first model, is now looking to emulate the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz with a vehicle that draws inspiration from the ultra-luxury segments; styling elements from Range Rover, Rolls-Royce and Bentley are all part of the external and interior.
Announcing the Zeekr brand’s first hybrid model – better known as an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) was last year’s Shanghai motor show (Auto China 2025) of the 2026 ZEEr 9X, which attracted no less than 40,000 domestic orders within the first hour after it went on sale.
A copy of an established luxury car isn’t just a cheap one-off, either. The 9X also offers a suite of high-end technologies such as adaptive air suspension and active anti-roll stabilisation, dual-megapixel headlights, ‘high quality sound system from Naim (Bentley’s cost-option audio supplier) and an available tri-motor EREV drivetrain that produces more than 1000kW of power and 1400Nm of torque – enough for 0-100km/h time of just 3-3. 1 seconds – .
Range anxiety The 9X’s plug-in EREV system has 300km-plus per charge claims according to China’S more flexible CLTC standard, and claimed total range of over 1200km from full tank of fuel and fully charged battery.
A car starts at 465,900 (A$94,397) in the Chinese domestic market and is considered a good deal for business class travel; throw up to three rows of seating and enough convenience and luxury features.
Zeekr Australia confirmed the 9X for this market, which will be available in local showrooms (late 2026 or early 2027), and has parked much interest in childcareman.xyz’s comments section as well as on social networking sites.
How is the hype about s? Well, we had a very short first taste at Geely’s Hangzhou (HQ) after last month’s Beijing motor show – read on to know more.
How much does the Zeekr 9X cost?
The short answer is we don’t know yet.
In the case of 465,900 (A$94,397) in China for the entry-level ‘Max’, it is given a smaller 55kWh battery pack and 660kW dual-motor EREV powertrain as noted above. The alleged 3 takes a claimed 3 and is taken from zero to 100km/h by paraphrasingr. The range of CLTC EV is 300km and 9 seconds, with the being 9secs.
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This is a top-top of the tree The Ultra, which at 559.900 (A$113,442) raises the ante with an enormous 70kWh battery and 1030kW tri-motor drivetrain good for 355km claimed CLTC electric range and 0-100km/h claim of just 3-3. 1 seconds.
The Mid-Spec Ultra model also has 55kWh and 70kW battery options, as well as 968kW dual-motor EREV drivetrain. Also, Zeekr has launched an Obsidian Black Edition model of a lofty 599,900 (A$121,547) variant with special black pack-style upgrades and all options boxes ticked as standard.
While the 9X’s hefty 5239mm length, 2029mm width and 1819mm height make it certifiably upper-large in size, and it has straight-line performance to rival a Bentley Bentayga Speed, even the most expensive variant costs around the same as a base BMW X5 in China, where it’s priced from ¥598,000 (A$121,162) for the elongated joint-venture model sold there.
In Australia, a starting price of even $110,000-$120,000 for the Zeekr 9X would position the big Chinese SUV favourably against established German models like the Audi Q7 (from $108,815), BMW X5 (from $139,900) and Mercedes-Benz GLE (from $136,600), all of which are smaller and more expensive spec-for-spec.
It’s going to be a long time for Time to tell, but Zeekr’ll certainly have an important role in the price positioning of the 9X that sells decent numbers Down Under.
What is the Zeekr 9X like on the inside?
Zeekr has liberally applied genuine Nappa leather upholstery throughout the interior, with its Chinese public website claiming “all parts of the car seats that touch the body, the centre armrest and parts on the door panels” are finished in the real stuff.
We didn’t have a long enough time to do – or really feel, for the build quality — but there is certainly an atmosphere here that has been very luxurious.
It is accompanied by several dual-tone colourways, and accented with flourishings of metal (and natural wood trims), quilting and perforation detailing which really goes that extra mile.
See out and look up, the roofliner is finished in a lovely suede; there are several seating configurations available – at least in China – which make rear passengers feel as comfortable as those up front (if not more)?
In an executive meeting-style layout, second-row occupants can use the chairs of the ‘Cloud Seat’ captain (which is also equipped with a business class-like recliner configuration and provides heating, cooling and massage functions) as well as being rotated to face the third row.
For comfort, even the third row can slide fore and aft as well as recline, electrically, to be more comfortable. A single touch power access function is available from the second row into a third, while in the six-seat configuration there’s. corridor-like gap to allow access back (such as if someone mover) through he has one-touch power at his back.
Zeekr also has stated plans to sell an even more luxurious ‘9X Grand’ with a four-seat limousine-style layout that matches the options in Bentley’s and Rolls-Royce’S ultra-luxury SUVs.
Back to the first row, there’s a digital driver’S instrument cluster with dual 16-inch OLED infotainment touchscreens in the centre and ahead of the front passenger (all having 3). resolution of 5K, . It is a choice to remove the front passenger display in China, as well as being an option in Australia for my own personal preference and may also be available.
Zeekr also claims a 47-inch display area for its augmented reality (AR) colour head-up display, which is also claimed peak brightness of 20,000 nits. Sadly, we did not actually spend too much time in the car for a test of how effective it is working but the numbers are impressive nonetheless.
A nicer, too, is a litany of other coolties — not just ’17-inch 3K flip-down rear passenger entertainment display (an integrated AI assistant for the vehicle displays and software features), re refrigerator for your champers, power rear sunshades, fully customisable ambient lighting; dual sunroof with opening front section.
All this in a cabin accessed via electric doors front and rear, in another nod to Rolls-Royce.
We didn’t have the vehicle to play around with the rear seats, but in this second row there is a lot of space and adjustability for even taller adults like 6’1″ me; electric adjustment on the second and third rows should allow adults to fit into the backmost row as well.
Zeekr quotes a 470-litre cargo area from ‘Cullinan- or Range Rover-style split tailgate, which runs to sway into. cavernous 2148L with the rear seats folded up and down further back in.”
| Dimensions | Zeekr 9X |
| — | — |
| Length | 5239mm |
| Width | 2029mm |
| Height | 1819mm |
| Wheelbase | 3169mm |
| Cargo capacity | 470-2148L |
What’s under the bonnet?
Although the Zeekr 9X was initially described as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), its powertrain is probably better known as an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) when it joins ‘a turbocharged 2’. Two or three electric motors and a large lithium-ion battery pack petrol engine with 0-litre petrol engines.
| Specifications | Zeekr 9X Max | Zeekr 9X Ultra | Zeekr 9X Hyper |
| — | — | — | — |
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl turbo-petrol | 2.0L 4cyl turbo-petrol | 2.0L 4cyl turbo-petrol |
| Engine outputs | 205kW | 205kW | 205kW |
| Electric motor outputs | – | – | – |
| System outputs | 660kW + 935Nm | 660kW + 935Nm | 1030kW + 1410Nm |
| Battery | 55kWh li-ion | 55kWh or 70kWh li-ion | 70kWh li-ion |
| Transmission | – | – | – |
| Drive type | Dual-motor AWD | Dual-motor AWD | Tri-motor AWD |
| Weight | – | – | – |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 3.9 seconds | 3.9-4.2 seconds | 3.1 seconds |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | – | – | – |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | – | – | – |
| Electric driving range | 235km – WLTC 300km – CLTC | 230-302km – WLTC 288-380km – CLTC | 280km – WLTC 355km – CLTC |
| Combined driving range | 1200km – CLTC 1015km – WLTC | 1160-1250km – CLTC 982-1049km – WLTC | 1165km – CLTC 1000km – WLTC |
| Fuel tank capacity | 50L | 50L | 50L |
| Fuel requirement | 95-octane premium unleaded | 95-octane premium unleaded | 95-octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | – | – | – |
| Emissions standard | China VI B | China VI B | China VI B |
| Braked tow capacity | – | – | – |
Although the namesake variants will be unsure, which ones will make it to Australia, no doubt that this tri-motor flagship will have high priority list as Australia is in demand for world class performance flagships.
Similarly, note that CLTC and WLTC efficiency and range claims are different (the latter of which is more true in the real world) also make up for their differences.
We tested the flagship ‘Hyper’ model with the 1000kW-plus tri-motor drivetrain, but according to official specs this standard dual- motor version itself is barely ’slow’ for such a large car.
How does the Zeekr 9X drive?
My test drive was 90 metres of acceleration testing, braking and speed humps followed by an’moose test’-style handling course around obstacles in what was basically a flat carpark. Let me start with your expectations?
I have a very short first impression of the Zeekr 9X, as you imagine, but can at least give me some early feedback on acceleration performance and feel (and also ride and handling appraisal) etc.
While the specs sound monstrous on paper, the 9X accelerates in an extremely smooth and effortless manner (similar to a Rolls-Royce than even if it is based on ‘M-car’). Slam the throttle and nose lifts slightly towards the sky like a speed boat, which very quickly increases velocity as it accelerates.
The cones marked out an acceleration test was a 90m straight, and we hit an indicated 100km/h without much effort.
You can feel the 9X’s weight shift forward when you hard on the brakes, but six-piston front brake for the flagship model did pull it up fairly confidently without much fuss.
When you go into the left-hand turn, it’s quite clear that the 9X is aimed for comfort rather than directness (although there’s a fluidity and accuracy to the steering which makes it so easy to drive such.
Just remember, this SUV is more than 5 inches long. 2m long and 2m . So it’s a big thing, because it is 0m wide. A relatively sharp response of the light and generously assisted steering makes it feel more pointier at the front than you would think, but there’s no hiding its sheer weight.
In higher-spec models there’s the extra layer of adaptive air suspension and 48V active anti-roll system that works under you, which limits body movement while acceleration, braking or cornering is being controlled by body motion.
The size and weight of the 9X can still be slightly felt, so at first a little odd when turning on the limited body lean detected from the cabin. Still, it’s a great thing that makes the cabin separate from outside forces.
Despite its size, the 9X is true (measure-based), secure and relatively manoeuvrable in relation to drive accuracy but if you’re a keen driver who wants better response and engagement you would be better off going for the smaller 8X which is pitched as more of slanting than passenger-focused SUV.
But the harsh speed bumps pushed sharper forces through the chassis than I expected, as 9X has air suspension to offset its massive 22-inch forged monobloc-style alloys (although testing on public roads will be more varied and we eventually get to drive it outside what was a car park) would give us an idea of how much better the 9x is when tested for road behaviour.
What do you get?
Quite a lot, actually.
2026 Zeekr 9X standard equipment highlights in China:
- Matrix LED headlights
- Active grille
- Soft-close doors
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Panoramic sunroof – openable
- Secondary sunroof – 3rd row
- Double-glazed glass – front, sides (1st, 2nd, 3rd rows)
- Side mirrors – electric, folding, heated, tilting
- Rear power sunshades – second row side
- 13-inch HD digital instrument cluster
- 16-inch 3.5K OLED infotainment and passenger touchscreens
- 47-inch AR head-up display
- 5G dual-SIM communication module
- Digital rear-view mirror
- 32-speaker sound system
- 3-zone climate control
- Intelligent fragrance system
- PM2.5 detection and filtration
- 50W wireless phone charging
- Nappa leather upholstery
- Suede headliner
- Nordic natural wood veneer
- Crystal volume knob
- 16.8-million colour ambient lighting
- 4-way power steering wheel adjustment incl. memory
- Heated steering wheel
- 14-way power front seats
- Front seats – heated, ventilated, massaging
- 2nd row zero-gravity seats
- 14-way power 2nd row seats incl. leg rests
- 2nd row seats – heated, ventilated, massaging
- Rear tray tables
- 4-way power 3rd row seats
- One-touch entry/exit
- 3rd row seats – heated
- 220V power outlet in boot
Options
Even with the long list of standard equipment, a number of options are available in China.
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In Mid-spec variants, it is possible to test a larger 70kWh battery and the 48V active anti-roll system. A. trailer hitch (electric) can be added across the range, rotating second-row seats (base and mid-grades), a Naim Palace premium audio system with 17 inches OLED rear display that is available for purchase at an affordable price.
If you’re looking for a cleaner look, you can also remove the secondary 16-inch passenger touchscreen and power-operated doors are available too.
Is the Zeekr 9X safe?
ANCAP or Euro NCAP have not tested the 9X yet, but Zeekr’s flagship SUV is decked out with a full range of safety and assistance technologies.
Standard safety features include:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Anti-misacceleration assist
- Automatic parking assist
- Autonomous Emergency Braking – AEB
- Autonomous Emergency Steering
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Door opening warning
- Forward collision warning
- Lane change assist
- Lane departure warning, assist
- Lead vehicle departure alert
- Front cross-traffic warning, assist
- Rearward collision mitigation
- Rear cross-traffic warning, assist
- Remote automatic parking
- Remote direct-in/out parking
- Traffic light reminder
- Traffic sign recognition
A standard driver support package is a NVIDIA Drive Thor-U chip, LiDAR and an array of cameras and other sensors; it can upgrade to an even more sophisticated dual-NVIDIA setup for autonomous driving capability in China.
How much does the Zeekr 9X cost to run?
Though the 9X hasn’t yet been sold in Australia, private buyers are now covered by a five year unlimited-kilometre warranty for their Zeekr X and 7X. It is only a three-year, 120,000km warranty for commercial and fleet customers.
Service intervals and pricing will be confirmed closer to the 9X’s Australian launch.
childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Zeekr 9X
With the slack of our first drive, it’s just a little early to say what we think about Zeekr’S new flagship SUV.
But if Zeekr can land it here for the starting price of a BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLE, as in China, that’s what would be the Chinese brand talking about like luxury stalwarts do in Beijing, That said.
The children say, “baller” as the 9X looks like a . Just add the monstrous straight-line performance, a long electric-only and combined driving ranges (and enough screens and luxury items to overtimulate your passengers’ senses) and that it may be enough to get plenty of Aussies at the line.
Obviously, $100,000-plus is nothing to sneeze at for any new car — let alone one from a relatively new Chinese brand. But the sales of the 7X on its charts shows that the brand is building momentum for Down Under, perhaps more so than some of its competitors.
I personally love the looks and feel of 9X, but I think most buyers will be ‘needing a corner carver’ as long as it rides well over poorly surfaced Melbourne and Sydney roads (e.g. My message about this car came to me when I was travelling too, so if the price is correct, customers will come.
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